"It's not an easy thing to make friends in this peculiar town, isn't it?"

Glen couldn't resist cracking a joke at the sight of the other party's bewildered look.

"I couldn't agree more. Having been here for so long, I almost forgot how to talk," Aina seemed to enjoy chatting with others and was unusually enthusiastic in responding to Glen's question.

"By the way, how long have you and your brother been living here? Do you know much about this place?" Glen resumed his work while continuing the conversation.

After tilting her head and thinking for a moment, Aina said uncertainly,"I think my brother and I have been here for over a hundred years... Hmm, I can't quite remember."

Glen's hands paused briefly, then he carried on as if nothing had happened.

He continued in an unchanged tone,"Then you're quite the old-timers here."

"Old-timers?" Aina didn't seem to agree with this statement. She shook her head gently."My brother and I are still considered new residents, Mr. Glen. The real old-timers never show up on the outskirts of the town."

Glen looked up in surprise and stared at Aina for a moment before exhaling and saying,"This is truly beyond my expectations. It seems this town is much more mysterious than I thought."

Aina was pleased with Glen's reaction. She let out a couple of soft laughs before continuing,"This was told to us by a rather friendly townsman. Well... he's much more sociable than the others. He said that the old residents are like one big family. They're asleep in the center of the town, and we hardly ever see them. Apparently, it's to avoid hurting others and also to keep the mayor company."

After hearing this, Glen felt that giving away the folding table hadn't been in vain.

He remained silent for a long time before sincerely saying,"Thank you for telling me this. Otherwise, I wouldn't know where to find out such information."

Aina seemed delighted. She twirled around on the spot and said with a smile,"I'm more than happy to share this. I can't even remember the last time I had a chat with someone other than my brother."

"The pleasure is mine."

And so, Glen continued with his carpentry work while Miss Puppet, who resembled a fairy-tale princess, chattered away nearby.

Both of them were highly engaged. Their conversation ranged from Aina's experiences and observations in the town over the past hundred years to the interesting anecdotes from her and her brother's travels outside, and it lasted until evening.

During this chat, Glen also learned some information about the town.

For instance, those strange creatures that emerged in the night were actually the mayor's pets and wouldn't harm the townspeople easily.

"Oh dear! It's already dark. We can't keep chatting," Aina suddenly exclaimed, only then realizing that night had fallen.

"I'm so sorry, Mr. Glen. I have to go back. My brother must already know that I sneaked out. He'll scold me to death. Goodbye..."

The puppet girl turned to leave, but Glen said with a touch of mischief,"You don't need to rush. Your brother is already here."

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These words made Aina freeze. She seemed not to understand what Glen meant.

However, a familiar voice reached her ears, and her expression turned glum.

"Aina, you've really let me down."

Parindus, who looked like a matchstick man, emerged from the darkness. Although his words were directed at Aina, his eyes were fixed on Glen.

"I'm sorry, Parindus. I was just so bored staying in the house..." The puppet girl lowered her head, looking genuinely repentant.

Parindus opened his mouth, but in the end, he said wearily,"Go home."

Aina lifted her skirt and immediately set off towards home.

Parindus didn't move right away. He looked at Glen, who was still focused on his work, and said,"Thank you for chatting with Aina. I haven't seen her that happy in a long time."

Glen tossed aside the piece of wood in his hand, looked at Parindus, and said with a teasing tone,"I thought you were going to tell me to stay away from your sister from now on."

Parindus clenched his fists, feeling an urge to punch the other party, but in the end, he managed to control his temper and said,"I can tell right from wrong, you strange lad."

With that, he turned and left.

This world is quite interesting... Glen watched the direction in which the puppet siblings had left and smiled silently.

...

The following day.

After partaking of a rather sumptuous breakfast, Glen bound several wooden furniture pieces that he had completed the previous day onto a cart.

Once he was certain that the bindings were secure, he released the large deer, with the intention of having it draw the cart.

The large deer seemed to have grown accustomed to the people and the surroundings there, offering little resistance to Glen's touches and caresses.

After feeding it some hay, Glen attached the cart to the deer.

Relieved to see that the deer did not resist, he then, imitating a coachman, urged the deer - drawn cart to move forward at a leisurely pace.

Although the speed was not particularly rapid, it was far more efficient than traveling on foot.

Seated comfortably on the deer - drawn cart, Glen experienced what it was like to be a cart driver, and he found it rather pleasant.

However, the journey ahead was not as smooth sailing.

Shortly after leaving the Bayek area, Glen was accosted by a group of individuals clad in armor.

At the head of the group was a man wearing the armor of a noble knight, who clearly held a far higher status than the others.

"Young man, you've incurred the wrath of the nobility! Now, the esteemed Lord Chanis has commanded me to take you into custody. Get down from there and come with me at once!”

As he spoke, he already laid his hand on the knightly sword at his waist, his threat thinly veiled.

"Lord Chanis?” Glen arched an eyebrow, and then it dawned on him. "He's the parent of that curly - haired fellow, isn't he?”

Barber's eyes widened in indignation. "How dare you! A lowly commoner showing such disrespect to the nobility!”

The private soldiers surrounding them simultaneously brandished their weapons, and the sunlight glinting off the blades almost blinded Glen.

Barber had expected this young lad to be intimidated into submission by such a display, but the other's reaction was remarkably composed, as if their menacing postures were entirely in vain.

Glen turned to look at his furniture, a look of vexation crossing his face.

He was torn between going back with this man and teaching that so - called lord a lesson, or simply driving them away.

He was more inclined to accompany them back, but he was concerned about the safety of his belongings.

After much deliberation, he decided to go with them.

"Very well, I'll accompany you, but I need to hide my possessions first.”

Glen pointed to the furniture and goods behind him.

Barber narrowed his eyes. He was on the verge of lashing out with insults; how dare a commoner make demands?

However, observing the other's fearless demeanor and considering that he resided in a place as eerie as Bayek, he wisely nodded in agreement.

Under the hostile gazes of the group, Glen drove the deer - drawn cart to a secluded corner among the rocks.

The large deer was then tethered to the base of a massive tree.

Only then did he set off with this group of noble private soldiers.

All of them had their own horses, yet Glen had to make the journey on foot.

He couldn't be bothered to concern himself with this and decided to settle the score once they reached their destination.

...

Within Lord Chanis's manor.

His lordship was engaged in conversation with a guest in the rear garden.

The other individual was also attired in noble garb, sporting a tuft of upward - curving beard on his chin and speaking in a melodious, rhythmic manner.

The two appeared to be on intimate terms, frequently bursting into hearty laughter.